HAVE FUN!!! This is a fun league where the kids will improve over the course of the year. Fun for all needs to be the focus of the coaches and the parents.

EQUAL PLAYING TIME: Everyone needs to play the same amount. On a specific Saturday, this may not be practical, but over the course of the year, playing time needs to be as balanced as possible.

NO SWIPING!! While dribbling under control, the ball cannot be swiped at or swiped from the offensive player or grabbed from while the offensive player is in possession of the ball. Passes can be intercepted and shots blocked. A defensive player must not lean her arms into the offensive player when attempting to block a shot.

DOUBLE DRIBBLING and TRAVELING: We will be working with the refs to use their discretion on this one, asking them to work with the kids to learn about traveling and double-dribbling by blowing the whistle, stopping the game and briefly describing what the player did and ways not to travel or double dribble. In the 1st – 2nd grade games, we will ask them to let minor violations slide, calling it somewhat closer than 3rd – 4th grade games. The same goes for lane violations. For 1st – 2nd grade games, the ball will not be turned over until after the 3rd game. During the last half of the season, refs will still describe what happened and how to fix it, but also will turn the ball over to the defensive team.

SUBSTITUTION and GAME FLOW:

GAMES: Games will consist of four 10-minute running time quarters, with a jump ball starting both halves. The clock will stop on dead ball in the last two minutes of each half. The clock will be stopped at about the 5:00 mark in each quarter for substitutions. Each team gets one time out per half. No other time outs except for injury.

NO FREE SUBSTITUTING: To make sure that everyone knows who they are guarding, substitutions can only be made at the beginning of each quarter and at the 5:00 point. If a player has to leave the game due to injury, the refs will stop the game and make sure that everyone knows who they are guarding.

c. OVERTIME: As we do not keep score, there is no need for overtime.

DEFENSE:

NO FULL COURT PRESS: Defensive players can start guarding below the top of the key – there is no over-and-back violation. The overall goal of these rules is for players to gain confidence with their offensive skills with the no-swiping and the defensive pick-up rules. Players must drop back immediately after the other team has secured possession of the basketball.

NO DOUBLE TEAMING or ZONE: Everyone matches up at center court to make sure they know who they are guarding. Everyone must stay on their own player with no switching, zone defense, or double teaming.

BENCH: All coaches and players must stay on the bench/in the coaches’ box. No coaches on the floor except at the quarter or 5:00 mark to facilitate substitutions or in the event of an injury.

OFFICIALS: The games will largely be officiated by high school kids with basketball experience. They are not professional or perfect. Any inappropriate commentary or actions regarding officiating or players will not be tolerated (this includes players, coaches and parents). We ask that each coach provide leadership in this regard and handle his/her team accordingly.

SCOREBOARD/CLOCK: 1st – 2nd grade games will have a clock but not a scoreboard. The kids will keep score in their heads, but we will not keep score on the clock.

FOULS/FREE THROWS: We will not keep a book for the 1st – 2nd grade games. We will also not shoot free throws. All fouls will result in an out of bounds play.

SCREENS: Screening is allowed (including on-ball screens); however, no double screens are allowed. This includes out-of-bounds plays and otherwise. Please note that we will ask the officials to call moving screens closely.

BASKET HEIGHTS: 1st – 2nd grade baskets will be at 8 feet.

FOOD/DRINKS: No beverages or food in the gyms or the hallway. The only things allowed in the gyms are water bottles. We must be respectful of our facilities or risk the availability of the gyms.

Need we say it again – HAVE FUN.